6 Months of Winter again
Being able to be flexible in order to deal with anything, is an important part of the process that we signed up for when we came here in physical form. We had our first snow fall in mid October and it snowed again last night, which makes this 6 months of snow on the ground and most likely much more as the weather has still not broke the grip of old man winter.
Off grid living or homesteading in these conditions can be challenging, but we prepare for this type of winter as it happened about 5 years ago when we had seven months of snow on the ground. I'm posting three pictures. One was taken in October, January and this morning. Can you figure out which ones are which?
Exhibit A
Exhibit B
Exhibit C
We know this will happen, so we start our garden early, inside the earthship. We are also starting to move towards wild food rather than home grown as it can handle these harsh winters. Greenhouses are also critical tools to use as well. This photo was taken from within the earthship with the white snow as a background. When the snow melts, we will be busy getting the garden moved outside for the season. But we are getting ready for when it does as we have no time to waste.
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Been really thinking of you off-gridders and wondering how you do it! Where there is a will there is a way i suppose. How are the animals fairing? I am gonna guess exhibit c was October, exhibit A January, and if your day is like ours today exhibit b is today 😉 🤞
The animals are coping but they really want to get into the green leaves, bark and grass. I think they are just as anxious as we are. They are about to kid out and that does not help. But they go with the flow much easier than we do. They felt some spring fever a few days ago, but it died right down again.
As for the pictures: yes, yes & yes! Nice observation!
Wow! Ok!! I am jumping for joy over here.....
I just checked my 'replies' and see that first off i won a contest! And, then when i went to upvote the contest holders reply noticed i had a ✨ slidy bar ✨ steemworld let me know you'd delegated sp! That is so super kind of you! It's super exciting 💗💗💗💗 Thank-you very much Rob. 🙏
My dad used to calve out late due to our cold winters. He started in March. I hope you have lots of bedding for the little ones. I just looked out and saw about 20 robins on a patch of grass out my window. Spring is near 🌸🌸🌹🌹
Honestly, the similarity of the weather on such a large scale is alarming. But, for us too the first storm was more icy, and the weather today, leaving it easy to pick the third! Three wins. One day. I needed that. Blessings friend.
You are welcome. Pay it forward! Welcome to the Stewards of Terra Mater!
Yes, we have lots of bedding. We breed our goats late so that they kid out in late spring rather than the middle of winter. It should be nice when they start arriving. We also have a shed or the garage to put them in to keep them warm if it is cold outside. Thanks for the tips. Peace to you.
Oh, i remember the days of having calvies in the house when needed to give them a better chance of survival. It's good you have other options than needing to bring them in your home! I bet goat babies are tinier than cows which also would help.
I will do my best to understand the Stewards of Terra Matter better. I feel grateful to be given the opportunity to be part of this group. I will pay it forward for sure! I try to actively be supporting newcomers in the @asapers as well as others I've been following. Getting to know you and Carey is a great blessing 🙏🏵🌹🌸🌱
I so know this feeling...LOL
It was good to chat the other day about it, as you said it is not for everyone.
:)
I just want to see a glimpse of dirt! LOL
Its great that we are to a point of being able to hit the ground running. Preparing, getting things in order. I agree with the foraging. It has been a slow and steady process here. Thank you so much for sharing.
The tomatoes look great Carey!!
Gosh, I'm almost reluctant to tell you this but there is very good science pointing to the fact we are entering an extended period of Solar Minimum. At least 11 years but perhaps as many as 33 or 40 or more. You may want to check out Suspiciousobservers on YouTube. They rely on science instead of fluff. There are more but thats a good place to start. Anyway, this all means winters will be colder and longer. Many blessings.
Ya, I've witnessed the winters here getting longer here. We are just planning on longer winters no matter what. If it is short, then bonus. But we also have worked out contingencies in case the winter is longer than we planned. Food wise we are okay. Wood wise, we can always pull stuff out of the bush. It has been working for us. When we had 7 months of snow a few years ago we got through it without too much stress. Capacity to adapt and change is what is required for the coming years. thanks for the heads up my friend. Good to know that there are some scientists not influenced by funding, corporate or government agendas either. I'll check into them. Peace to you.
Actually it appears that "global warming" was almost entirely caused by a period of Solar Maximum for the past several decades. And now we get a Grand Solar Minimum. It's all cyclical, all part of nature. And like you say, we adapt.
oh man I am so glad that part of the year is behind me... I dont even want to THINK about winter, even though the snow is still very close, just up a little higher now.
I get really restless in the winter, and I find it hard to ponder without walking through the forest. Thank goodness for spring and seedlings! I do hope some warm weather will come your way soon!
Snow is all gone? Ya for you. It will be weeks here yet and then we will be facing flooding and lots of water. But we will get through it. It is a blessing as this water will rejuvenate the Earth. <3
The long winters really get to me! I’m starting to worry my plants are outgrowing their starters. I thought for sure it’d be nice outside by now, but no. Any tips on plants that were started inside too early?
My wife transplants them into bigger pots. That way they can keep going and then when the garden and greenhouse is ready we connect them directly with Mother Earth so that their spirit is grounded with her. Does that help? Actually the tomatoes in the picture were transplanted once already. The greenhouse should be ready soon, so their next move will be there.
I do transplant my starters into bigger pots. On the long winters I may have to transplant them twice. You can also put a fan on a light setting and this will help them firm up their stems so they don't become spindly. Hope this helps.
I am definitely not a winter person. Ontario had brutal winters too with the lake effect. I have only been back to Canada in winter once in 18 years. It was winter and I arrived in a blizzard and left in a blizzard. I don't miss the snow and cold.
Winter this far north is not for everyone. Good thing we all have our own preferences eh! Imagine if everyone like the same thing! Life would be boring. I'm glad you found a place on Mother Earth that resonates with you my friend. <3
I think Exhibit A in October Exhibit b this morning Exhibit c in January
No, yes, no. You were close though!
oh mean A is January and c is October?
yup!
Winter Again. Winter is my fav'rite season. There are some who don't agree. When it snows, that's when I'm happy. It's as simple as can be. In the cold
I love winter too, but we also need spring, summer and fall too. We depend on each growing season to grow our food for the next winter. So it does bring up some anxiety. But we will get through it. We always do. <3
B - this morning.